The 7 Most Toxic Products at Baby Stores

Here's something you may not have known: Thousands of chemicals used in consumer products have never been tested for safety. For parents and grandparents, that realization can be daunting, because it means that baby products may contain chemicals linked with cancer, learning problems, asthma, and other potential health problems. Here are seven commonly used infant care items that might contain toxic chemicals—and what you can do to avoid them.

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Changing Pads

Changing Pads

A recent study tested baby products containing polyurethane foam and found potentially harmful flame-retardant chemicals in some foam-filled changing pads. For decades, such chemicals—linked to learning disabilities, infertility, and cancers—have been added to foam-based products to prevent fires, but scientists disagree about whether the chemicals improve fire safety. Avoid the "TB117" label – which indicates that the item meets a California flame resistance standard that virtually requires the use of chemical flame-retardants. And rest assured that keeping these chemicals out of your baby's changing pad won't increase your risk of a house fire.

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Portable Crib and Bassinet Mattresses

Portable Crib and Bassinet Mattresses

Some portable crib and bassinet mattresses recently tested positive for chlorine, a proxy for chlorinated flame-retardants, in tests conducted by the Getting Ready for Baby coalition. Chlorinated flame-retardants, linked with learning disabilities, infertility, and endocrine problems, are still being added to these products, despite questions about their safety and doubts about their effectiveness. Help baby sleep easier by choosing products labeled free of chemical flame-retardants. As an alternative, seek products displaying the "TB117-2013" label. Such products are less likely to contain chemicals than products labeled with "TB117" compliance (without the "2013").

Changing Pads

A recent study tested baby products containing polyurethane foam and found potentially harmful flame-retardant chemicals in some foam-filled changing pads. For decades, such chemicals—linked to learning disabilities, infertility, and cancers—have been added to foam-based products to prevent fires, but scientists disagree about whether the chemicals improve fire safety. Avoid the "TB117" label – which indicates that the item meets a California flame resistance standard that virtually requires the use of chemical flame-retardants. And rest assured that keeping these chemicals out of your baby's changing pad won't increase your risk of a house fire.

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Portable Crib and Bassinet Mattresses

Some portable crib and bassinet mattresses recently tested positive for chlorine, a proxy for chlorinated flame-retardants, in tests conducted by the Getting Ready for Baby coalition. Chlorinated flame-retardants, linked with learning disabilities, infertility, and endocrine problems, are still being added to these products, despite questions about their safety and doubts about their effectiveness. Help baby sleep easier by choosing products labeled free of chemical flame-retardants. As an alternative, seek products displaying the "TB117-2013" label. Such products are less likely to contain chemicals than products labeled with "TB117" compliance (without the "2013").

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Nursing Pillows

Although nursing pillows, which fit around the waist to aid breastfeeding, are not required to meet furniture flammability standards, some manufacturers make sure they do. While on the surface that sounds safer, it may involve injecting the polyurethane foam filling with flame retardant chemicals. And no one wants to expose a nursing baby to a chemical condiment with her meal. The best way to avoid this? Look for products labeled free of chemical flame-retardants. If you can't tell, ask the retailer. Another good option: Shop from retailers committed to keeping these chemicals out of the products they sell, including Buy Buy Baby, Macy's, Walmart, IKEA, and Ashley Furniture.

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Vinyl Bath Toys

It's not hard to find waterproof, flexible vinyl toys at the baby store, promising to make bath time and play time fun. But vinyl toys are made from vinyl chloride, a cancer-causing chemical that has harmed workers and contaminated communities close to the factories. Vinyl chloride can also contain high levels of phthalates, endocrine disrupting chemicals added to plastic to make them soft and pliable. Keep bath time clean by avoiding toys with "vinyl" in the product description.

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Baby Powder

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends against using baby powder on your baby, because breathing the tiny particles can irritant baby's lungs – and those of her caregivers, too. Baby powder made of talc can be contaminated with asbestos, which causes mesothelioma, a deadly form of cancer. Even the safer cornstarch-based powders create puffs of dust that baby can inhale. To protect baby's lungs, avoid baby powder, and opt for lotion or diaper cream instead.

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Baby Oil

Baby oil is a byproduct of distilling petroleum to produce gasoline. But it's not so much the petroleum byproduct itself that makes baby oil a concern as much as the fragrances that are so often included in the chemical formulation. Cosmetic fragrances can trigger allergies, interfere with the immune system, and irritate the lungs. Slathering your baby's delicate skin with a fragrance-loaded product could set her up for allergies later in life. What to do? Avoid baby oil; seek out lotion with plant- and nut-based oils that are fragrance free.

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Antibacterial Hand Gel

Many antibacterial gels and wipes fight germs through the use of triclosan, a chemical that is linked to cancer and endocrine disruption in laboratory animals. The convenience of clean hands with just one squirt is tempting, but warm water and regular soap (not the antibacterial kind!) work better than triclosan at getting rid of germs, without any health risks. As all parents know, anything you put on your baby's hands will get into her mouth, so avoid using hand sanitizers on your baby. When you need clean hands for yourself on the go, seek out an alcohol-based sanitizer—which kills viruses, not just bacteria.